OpenAI Officially Retires GPT-4o and Legacy Models: What This Means for ChatGPT Users

OpenAI Officially Retires GPT-4o and Legacy Models: What This Means for ChatGPT Users

OpenAI has officially retired several legacy models from ChatGPT, including the beloved GPT-4o, as of 10 a.m. PT on February 13, 2026. The company is pushing users toward its newer GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2 models, marking the end of an era for some of the most widely-used AI models in the industry.

Primary sources:

• •OpenAI — Retiring GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini in ChatGPT (February 2026)

https://openai.com/index/retiring-gpt-4o-and-older-models/

• •CNET — RIP, 4o: OpenAI Officially Kills Its Popular ChatGPT Model (February 12, 2026)

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/bye-bye-chatgpt-4o-openai-retires-several-models-pushes-us-to-use-new-gpt-5-ones/

Models Being Retired

The following models have been deprecated from ChatGPT:

• •GPT-4o — The ultra-popular model that many users considered their go-to chatbot
• •GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini — Released in 2025 as mid-tier options
• •GPT-5 (Instant and Thinking) — The original GPT-5 release from late 2025
• •OpenAI o4-mini — The compact reasoning model

API access remains unchanged for now. These retirements apply only to ChatGPT's interactive interface.

Why GPT-4o's Retirement Matters

This isn't just another model deprecation. GPT-4o had developed a devoted user base that mourned its temporary removal last year when GPT-5 first launched. Many users felt a genuine connection to the model, preferring its conversational style and warmth over the newer alternatives.

When OpenAI brought GPT-4o back after user backlash, it was a rare reversal. This time, the company appears committed to the transition—citing that only 0.1% of users (approximately 800,000 people out of 800 million weekly active users) still regularly use GPT-4o.

What OpenAI Learned

OpenAI acknowledged the strong feedback from users who preferred GPT-4o's personality and creative ideation capabilities. This feedback directly shaped improvements in GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2, including:

• •Better personality and creativity support
• •Stronger creative ideation capabilities
• •New customization options for tone and warmth
• •Controls for enthusiasm levels

The company stated: "Our goal is to give people more control and customization over how ChatGPT feels to use—not just what it can do."

What's Next

With these retirements, ChatGPT users now have access to:

• •GPT-5.2 — The flagship model for most use cases
• •GPT-5.1 — A solid mid-tier option
• •Customization controls for personality and tone

OpenAI also mentioned upcoming improvements to address "unnecessary refusals and overly cautious or preachy responses," along with continued progress toward a ChatGPT experience "designed for adults over 18."

The Bigger Picture

This model retirement signals OpenAI's aggressive push forward with its GPT-5 lineup. After the initial GPT-5 release faced criticism for being "short and unfriendly" compared to GPT-4o, the company has doubled down on user feedback to refine its offerings.

For users who relied on GPT-4o, the transition may take some adjustment. However, with the new customization options in GPT-5.2, there's now more control over conversational style than ever before.